Iran will refuse any request by U.S.-based non-governmental organization American-Iranian Council (AIC) to open an office in the Islamic Republic, the interior minister said in comments published on Wednesday.
In a rare move, the United States this month said the U.S. Treasury Department''s Office of Foreign Asset Control had granted permission to New Jersey-based AIC to operate in Iran.
A U.S. official said the decision to allow the NGO to go to Iran was "carefully reviewed" within the U.S. government, which cut ties with Iran after its 1979 Islamic revolution and is now embroiled in a standoff with Tehran over its nuclear program.
But Iranian Interior Minister Ali Kordan, an ally of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, made clear in comments carried by Iranian media that his ministry would not give its approval.
"If such a request is handed over the Interior Ministry, because of the country''s interest ... will not issue permission," Kordan was quoted as saying by the Kayhan daily.
A U.S. official has said Washington wanted to encourage "cultural exchange and mutual understanding" between the U.S. and Iranian people "while trying to isolate the regime."
Iran has often accused the United States of using intellectuals and others inside the country to undermine the Islamic state through a "velvet revolution," a reference to the non-violent overthrow of Communism in Czechoslovakia in 1989.
Tajik, Russian parliament speakers meet in Almaty to discuss cooperation
Tajik parliament speaker participates in a session of the CSTO PA Council in Almaty
Some Tajik officials ignore criticism and disregard the country’s laws
International transportation routes discussed in Dushanbe
The Qosh Tepa canal causes water shortages in Central Asian downstream nations of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan
More than 1,700 people recognized as victims in the Crocus terrorist attack case
Slovakian court says man from Tajikistan poses danger to Slovakia
Emomali Rahmon lists Tajikistan's major achievements over 30 years of independence
Government discusses amendments proposed to the country’s laws on state border and holidays
EU announces commitment to invest €10 billion in sustainable transport connectivity in Central Asia
All news
Авторизуйтесь, пожалуйста